Freescale Semiconductor

Application Note

Document Number: AN4716 Rev. 1, 05/2013

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC
by: Raghavan Sampath

Contents

1 Introduction
As the simplest form of DC-DC converter, the buck converter steps down the input voltage without isolation for power levels from less than 1 W to over 100 MW. Buck converter finds its applications ranging from mother boards where voltage needs to be stepped down to 2 V or less to electroplating or polishing with operating voltages in the order of 100 V or more. Control of buck converters is essential to have good voltage regulation and transient responses over a wide load current range. Voltage mode control and current mode control are the major control strategies for buck converter topology. Current mode control has good dynamic performance and inherent properties like short circuit protection. These advantages make current mode control more suitable for mission critical applications. Current mode control can be classified as average current mode control and peak current mode control. This application note concentrates on the implementation of peak current mode control using MC56F8257 digital signal controller (DSC). Peak current mode control gives a stable output and it is independent of any fluctuations at the input side of the system

1 2 3

Introduction ............................................................. 1 MC56F8257 DSC advantages and features............. 2 Target control theory ............................................... 6 3.1 Peak current mode control for buck converter 6

3.2 Mathematical model of buck converter with peak current mode control ........................................... 7 3.3 Designing the feedback compensator ............ 9 3.4 Digital feedback compensator (2p2z compensator).............................................................. 10 4 System design concept .......................................... 12 4.1 4.2 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 7 8 9 10 System architecture ..................................... 12 System control process ................................ 12 System hardware structure........................... 14 MC56F8257 control board .......................... 14 Power board ................................................. 14 System software organization ...................... 17 Main loop description .................................. 18 PWM ISR description.................................. 18

Hardware design ................................................... 14

Software design ..................................................... 17

Experimental results .............................................. 19 Conclusion ............................................................ 20 References ............................................................. 20 Revision history .................................................... 21

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 2013 _______________________________________________________________________

(Feed forward path). Further, the peak current mode control provides the advantages such as cycle-bycycle current limiting, inherent short circuit protection, good transient response, and less complicated feedback compensation technique. The MC56F8257 DSC from Freescale is a cost-effective low-power controller which meets the requirements of digital peak current mode control. This application note describes the implementation of digital peak current mode control for buck converters using MC56F8257 DSC and provides a reference for customers to implement high-performance DC-DC converters. This application note includes buck converter control theory, system design concepts, hardware design concepts, and the steps involved in software implementation.

2 MC56F8257 DSC advantages and features

The MC56F8257 is a member of the 56800E core-based family of DSCs. It combines the processing power of a DSP and the functionality of a microcontroller with a flexible set of peripherals on a single chip to create a cost-effective solution. The 56800E core is based on a dual Harvard-style architecture consisting of three execution units operating in parallel, allowing as many as six operations per instruction cycle. The MCU-style programming model and optimized instruction set allow straightforward generation of efficient, compact DSP and control code. The instruction set is also highly efficient for C compilers to enable rapid development of optimized control applications. The MC56F825x/MC56F824x includes many peripherals that are especially useful for industrial control, motion control, home appliances, general-purpose inverters, smart sensors, fire and security systems, switched-mode power supply, power management, and medical monitoring applications. The MC56F8257 provides the following peripherals: One Enhanced Flexible Pulse Width Modulator (eFlexPWM) with up to 9 output channels, including 6 channels with high (520 ps) resolution, NanoEdge placement and 16-bit resolution for center, edge-aligned, and asymmetrical PWMs Two 8-channel, 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) with dynamic x2 and x4 programmable gain amplifier, conversion time as short as 600 ns, and input current-injection protection. One 12-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (12-bit DAC) with 12-bit resolution. The output can be routed to internal comparator, or off-chip. Two four-channel 16-bit Multipurpose Timer (TMR) modules with cascading capability per module: Up to 120 MHz operating clock Up to 54 general-purpose I/O (GPIO) pins; 5 V tolerant I/O; individual control for each pin to be in peripheral or GPIO mode. Three High-Speed Comparator modules (HSCMP) with integrated 5-bit DAC references for comparing two analog input voltages. The comparator is designed to operate across the full range of the supply voltage (rail-to-rail operation).

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Intermodule crossbar connection with capability for generic intermodule connections between on-chip control peripherals including ADCs, DAC, comparators, timers, PWM module, and GPIO pins Two System Management Bus (SMBus) compatible inter-integrated circuit (I2C) ports; the module supports 10-bit address extension and designed to operate up to 100 kbit/s. Two high-speed Queued Serial Communication Interface (QSCI) modules with 13-bit integer and 3-bit fractional baud rate selection; supports full-duplex operation and LIN slave functionality Queued Serial Peripheral Interface (QSPI) module supporting full-duplex operation, programmable transmit and receive shift order, programmable length transactions from 2 to 16 bits and 14 master mode frequencies. Freescales Scalable Controller Area Network (MSCAN) module implementing CAN 2.0 A/B protocol Computer Operating Properly (COP) Watchdog module to help software recover from runaway code Integrated Power-on-Reset (POR) and Low-Voltage Interrupt (LVI) and brown-out reset module Cost-effective memory configuration; 64 KB (32K x 16) flash memory; 8 KB (4K x 16) unified data/program RAM On-chip relaxation oscillator: 8 MHz (400 kHz at standby mode) JTAG/Enhanced On-Chip Emulation (EOnCE) for real-time debugging The implementation of digital peak current mode control makes use of following peripherals of MC56F8257 DSC to achieve optimum performance: Analog-to-Digital Converter High-Speed Comparator module Digital-to-Analog Converter Pulse Width Modulation module GPIO The PWM module offers the following features: 16-bit resolution for center, edge-aligned, and asymmetrical PWMs, fractional delay for enhanced resolution of the PWM period and duty cycle PWM outputs that can operate as complementary pairs or as independent channels Ability to accept signed numbers for PWM generation Independent control of both rising and falling edges of each PWM output Support for synchronization to external hardware or other PWMs Double-buffered PWM registers o Integral reload rate 116 o Half-cycle reload capability Multiple output trigger events can be generated per PWM cycle via hardware.
Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Support for double switching PWM outputs Fault inputs can be assigned to control multiple PWM outputs. Programmable filters for fault inputs Independently programmable PWM output polarity Independent top and bottom hardware deadtime insertion Each complementary pair can operate with its own PWM frequency and deadtime values. Individual software control for each PWM output All outputs can be programmed to change status simultaneously via a FORCE_OUT event. PWMX pin can optionally output a third PWM signal from each submodule. Channels not used for PWM generation can be used for buffered output compare functions. Channels not used for PWM generation can be used for input capture functions with enhanced dual-edge capture capability (see the respective chapter of reference manual to see which sub modules include this function). Option to supply the source for each complementary PWM signal pair from: o Crossbar module outputs o External ADC input, taking into account values set in ADC high- and low-limit registers

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) consists of two separate analog-to-digital converters; each with eight analog inputs and its own sample and hold circuit. The features of the ADC module are as follows. Input voltage values that may range from VSSA to VDDA 12-bit resolution Maximum ADC clock frequency of 10 MHz with 100 ns period Sampling rate up to 3.33 million samples per second Can be synchronized to the PWM Sequentially scans and stores up to 16 measurements Scans and stores up to eight measurements, each on two ADCs operating simultaneously and in parallel Scans and stores up to eight measurements each on two ADCs operating asynchronously to each other in parallel Gains the input signal by x1, x2, or x4 Signed or unsigned result Single-ended or differential inputs

The digital peak current mode control system uses two ADC modules set with simultaneous sample mode for reducing the conversion time of the required signals. The trigger of the ADC is synchronized with the PWM for aligning converter analog signals within the required time. The HSCMP module provides a circuit for comparing two analog signals and has the following features: Operates over the entire supply range Inputs may range from rail-to-rail.
Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Less than 40 mV of input offset Less than 15 mV of hysteresis Selectable interrupt on rising-edge, falling-edge, or either rising or falling edges of the comparator output Selectable inversion of comparator output Comparator output may be: o Sampled o Windowed (ideal for certain PWM zero-crossing-detection applications) o Digitally filtered: Filter can be bypassed. May be clocked through the external SAMPLE signal or a scaled peripheral clock External hysteresis can be used while the output filter is used for internal functions. The plus and minus inputs of the comparator are both driven from 4-to-1 multiplexers, providing additional flexibility in assigning I/O as comparator inputs during PCB design. Two software-selectable performance levels: o High power, with shorter propagation delay. This mode can be used only when the VDDA rail is above the low voltage interrupt trip point. o Low power, with longer propagation delay

The digital peak current mode control uses HSCMP module to compare the actual inductor current and its reference of the combination of voltage regulator output and compensation ramp. The 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) provides a reference to on-chip comparators or an output to a package pin. It can also be used as a waveform generator to generate square, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms and has the following features: 12-bit resolution Power down mode Output can be routed to the internal comparator or off the device. Choice of asynchronous or synchronous updates (sync input can be connected to internal crossbar) Automatic mode to generate square, triangle, and sawtooth output waveforms Automatic mode to allow programmable period, update rate, and range Support of two digital formats Glitch filter to suppress output glitch during data conversion

In digital peak current mode control, the 12-bit DAC is used to generate the compensation ramp. This ramp is useful in damping out sub-harmonic oscillations occurring in the inductor current. (subharmonic oscillations details are discussed in Sub Harmonic Oscillations in Peak Current Mode Control.)

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

3 Target control theory

3.1 Peak current mode control for buck converter
The current mode control features a dual loop control circuita voltage loop and a current loop within a voltage loop. Due to inherent properties like feedforward compensation and short circuit protection, peak current mode control mechanism is most widely-used in the industries. In Figure 1, the power switch SW is turned ON by a constant frequency clock. It is turned OFF when the inductor current reaches a threshold level defined by the outer voltage controller and a compensation ramp (to overcome the problem of sub harmonic oscillations. The details of sub-harmonic oscillations are discussed in Sub Harmonic Oscillations in Peak Current Mode Control). Peak current mode control technique features some advantages such as simple cycle-by-cycle current limiting, inherent short circuit protection, and a simple feedback compensation network.
SW L Rc

Vin
C

d
MOD Gate Pulses

Ri

Inductor Current External Ramp Control Voltage

Figure 1. Buck converter with peak current mode control

Vc

Se
INDUCTOR CURRENT CLOCK CLOCK INITIATES ON TIME GATE PULSES

Sn

Sf

Figure 2. Peak current mode control technique

3.1.1 Sub-harmonic oscillations in peak current mode control

In a peak current mode controlled converter operating in continuous conduction mode, the inductor current shows a transition to sub-harmonic oscillations depending on the operating conditions. The oscillations are observed when compensation ramp is not added in the control loop. Any perturbations in the inductor current (due to fluctuations in control voltage) either persist or damp out depending upon
Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

the converter operating condition. The perturbation in the inductor current persists for converter operating at duty cycle greater than 50%, as shown in Figure 3. For operation at duty cycle less than 50%, the perturbed inductor current settles down to the steady state value in subsequent cycles which is shown in Figure 4.
iL(t)
Vc
STEADY STATE INDUCTOR CURRENT

PERTURBED INDUCTOR CURRENT

Ts

2Ts

3Ts

Figure 3. Perturbed inductor current for D>50%

iL(t)
Vc
STEADY STATE INDUCTOR CURRENT

PERTURBED INDUCTOR CURRENT

t Ts 2Ts 3Ts

Figure 4. Perturbed inductor current for D<50%

3.2 Mathematical model of buck converter with peak current mode control
The buck converter model with peak current mode control is shown in Figure 5.
SW L

Rc

Vin

D C

Vo

Ri Sn Sf

Duty Cycle

- Inductor Current Vc MOD + External Ramp Se

Figure 5. Modeling methodology for peak current mode control of buck converter

Where,
Vin input voltage in volts VO output voltage in volts
Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

The control-to-output transfer function for buck converter with peak current mode control is defined by the product of three terms: a DC gain term Hdc , a power stage small signal model FP (s), and a highfrequency transfer function FH (s) and is given by Equation 1. V0 (s) = Hdc Fp (s)Fh (s) Vc (s)
Equation 1

Linductance value in henry Ccapacitance value in farad R C capacitor ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) in ohm TS switching period in seconds Rload resistance in ohm R i inductor current sense transformer gain in ohm Se slope of compensation ramp Sn rising slope of inductor current Sf falling slope of inductor current

Hdc =

R Ri

1 RT (m D 0.5) 1+ s c L
Equation 2

Fp (s) = Fh (s) =

Equation 3

1 + sCR c s 1+ p 1

Equation 4

The high-frequency transfer function FH(s) (Equation 4) is common for all converter topologies with current mode control. In Equation 4, n denotes the frequency (in rad/s) of oscillation of the double pole. The oscillation due to this double pole is at half the switching frequency (see Equation 6). The damping of this pole pair (denoted by QP ) and the compensation factor (denoted by mc ) are given by Equation 7, and Equation 8.

The pole P (Equation 3) in the power stage model is formed from the output capacitance and load resistance which is given by Equation 5. 1 Ts (mc D 0.5) p = + CR LC
Equation 5

s s2 1+ Q + 2 n n p

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

n = Qp =

Equation 6

Ts

1 (mc D 0.5)
Equation 7 Equation 8

mc = 1 +

With no external ramp, the poles at half the switching frequency are all always complex. At D = 0, QP has a value of 2/. As the duty cycle is increased, poles start to move towards the imaginary axis and at D = 0.5, QP becomes infinity with the poles becoming purely imaginary. When duty cycle is increased further, the poles move to the right-hand side of the s plane. A high peaking is observed when there is no compensation ramp added and the duty cycle is close to 50%. With the addition of external ramp, the complex poles get damped quickly and the system instability occurring at half the switching frequency is eliminated. The external ramp must be selected so that the compensation ramp factor corresponds to the damping QP = 1 which prevents peaking at half the switching frequency. Then the required external ramp for stable buck converter is given by Equation 9. 1 + 0.5 mc = D
Equation 9

Se Sn

Using Equation 8 and Equation 9, the peak-to-peak value of the external compensation ramp can be calculated and is given by Equation 10. (D 0.18)R i TS Vin VPP = L
Equation 10

3.3 Designing the feedback compensator

A type II compensator is used for current mode feedback compensation. The complete buck converter system is obtained after integrating the feedback compensator with the peak current mode model. The poles and zeros of the compensator are placed according to the analysis of the control-to-output transfer function in order to set the desired crossover frequency and phase margin of the closed loop system. The compensator has one zero and two poles. The compensator transfer function is denoted by HC (s) and is given by the following equation.
Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

In Equation 11, the zero Z is set to achieve a suitable phase margin. The frequency of this compensator zero is set to 1/5th of the desired crossover frequency fC . The crossover frequency must be less than about 1/10th of the switching frequency. Z =
Equation 12

p1 s s 1 + z Hc (s) = s 1+ p2
Equation 11

The compensator pole P2 is set to the frequency of the ESR zero of the power stage transfer function (Equation 3). This will cancel out the effect of the ESR zero. P2 = 1/(CR C )
Equation 13

2 fC 5

The compensator pole P1 is placed at the origin. This pole is set to achieve the desired crossover frequency. P1 is the frequency at which the gain due to the pole at origin alone is unity. It can be directly calculated using Equation 14, Equation 15, and Equation 16. p1 = 1.23 fcR i R1 R 2 (L + 0.32RTs ) LR
Equation 14 Equation 15

R1 = 1 4fc 2 Ts 2 + 16fc 4 Ts 4 R 2 = 1 + 39.48C2 fc 2 L2 R2 (L + 0.32RTs )2

Equation 16

3.4 Digital feedback compensator (2p2z compensator)

2p2z feedback compensator is the digital form of type II compensator. It takes sampled error signal (at a sampling time equal to switching period) and filters out any sudden changes in the error. Converting continuous time transfer function of type II compensator to discrete time leads to a 2p2z system. The digital compensator is described by a linear difference equation which can be implemented in the DSC to filter the measured error signal. A simpler and effective approach to obtain the discrete time transfer function is by applying bilinear transformation or Tustin transformation to the analog transfer function. The compensator in discrete

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

10

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

time domain has two poles and two zeros and hence the name 2 pole 2 zero (or 2p2z) compensator. The discrete time transfer function for the feedback compensator is obtained by replacing the s terms in Equation 11 with the approximation given below.
2 z1 s= Ts z + 1
Equation 17

Where TS is the sampling period and is equal to the switching period of the converter. Applying bilinear transformation to Equation 11 gives
2 z1 p1 Ts z + 1 2 z 1 1 + Z Ts z + 1 (z) = 2 z1 T z + 1 1+ s p2
Equation 18

HC (z) =

Y(z) B2 z 2 + B1 z 1 + B0 = X(z) A2 z 2 A1 z 1 + 1
Equation 19

The discrete time transfer function in Equation 19 can be rearranged and a linear difference equation describing the compensator can be obtained given by Equation 20.
y[n] = B2 x[n 2] + B1 x[n 1] + B0 x[n] + A2 y[n 2] + A1 y[n 1]
Equation 20

A compensator of the form in Equation 20 can be easily implemented in a digital controller. For the feedback compensator described in Equation 20: x[n] is the error input to the controller in the present sampling period, y[n] is the controller output for present sampling period, and subscripts [n-1] and [n-2] denote the controller output and error for previous sampling and two sampling periods in the past respectively.

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

4 System design concept

4.1 System architecture
IGBT

Vin

Vo

DRIVER

PWM

HSCMP

DAC

ADC

MC56F8257
GPIO

Figure 6. System block diagram for peak current mode control of buck converter

The peak current mode control sytem of buck converter incorporates the following stages. Buck converter power stage: This stage provides a high voltage/current route. The major components utilized for DC-DC conversion include controlled power switch (controlling is done using MC56F8257), power diode, inductor, capacitor, and load. Sensing stage: It is used to sense the necessary voltage and current information for feedback. Appropriate conditioning is done to match the ADC electrical characteristics of DSC. Driver stage: This stage modifies the PWM signal of the DSC to make it capable of driving the power switch of the power stage. This stage provides the isolation of the control stage from power stage. Auxiliary power stage: The desired stable power supply for control, driver, and sensing stages is fed from the auxiliary power supply. MC56F8257-based control stage: In this stage, the ADC module is used to convert the analog output voltage to accurate digital signals. The DAC module generates the desired ramp to provide slope compensation which helps in damping of sub-harmonic oscillations. The HSCMP module provides the power switch turn off instant to the PWM module. GPIOs are used to receive keypad interface signals and to provide indications through LEDs.

4.2 System control process

The peak current mode controlled buck converter yields excellent steady state and dynamic performance. The control scheme features dual loops: an inner inductor current loop and an outer output

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

12

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

voltage loop. Since the control loop is independent of input voltage changes, the performance is unaffected due to input voltage variations. The current loop of the buck converter is created by measuring the current through the inductor. The outer DC bus voltage feedback is used to control the DC output voltage to quickly follow the change in reference voltage. For better functioning of the outer loop, a type II feedback compensator (digital form of which is called 2 pole 2 zero or 2p2z compensator described in Digital feedback compensator (2p2z compensator) ) is used here.

Figure 7 shows the control scheme of peak current mode control which can be explained in the following steps. 1. The output voltage feedback VO from the power stage is fed to the ADC pin of the DSC. The digital equivalent Vf of the analog feedback VO is obtained. 2. A digital reference voltage Vref is subtracted from Vf and the resulting error value is fed to the two pole two zero (2p2z) feedback compensator. 3. The 2p2z output is multiplied by gain K. This gain scales the output of the compensator to a value that is suitable for use with the DAC of the comparator module. It also counteracts the effects of the various gains within the closed loop system. 4. A compensation ramp of peak-to-peak voltage described in Equation 10 is added to the scaled 2p2z output. 5. The resultant is fed to the DAC and an analog current reference Iref is obtained. 6. Iref is compared with the inductor current feedback If obtained from a current transformer which has a gain Ri. The output of the comparator will cause the power switch to turn OFF when the inductor current reaches the level of the voltage on the DAC output.
_
Vref
FEEDBACK COMPENSATOR (2p2z) K

+ +

DAC

Iref

+
Vf

COMPENSATION RAMP

If

+
COMPARATOR

PWM MODULATOR

POWER STAGE CT
(gain Ri) ADC OUTPUT VOLTAGE Vo INDUCTOR CURRENT

Figure 7. Control scheme of peak current mode control

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

5 Hardware design
5.1 System hardware structure
POWER CIRCUIT ( Main Circuit )

PWM

HSCMP

DAC

ADC

CONTROL BOARD

GPIO

LED INDICATIONS

Figure 8. System hardware structure block diagram

The hardware structure of the peak current mode controlled buck converter is shown in Figure 8. The hardware system comprises of a MC56F8257-based control stage (control board), power stage (power board), sensing stage, driver stage, and auxiliary power supply stage. See System architecture for brief information on these stages.

5.2 MC56F8257 control board

The digital peak current mode control of buck converter described in this document uses the MC56F8257 DSC based system that includes the MC56F8257 DSC, JTAG interface, manual reset circuit, and pin interface.

5.3 Power board

5.3.1 Main power circuit
IGBT

Vin

COUT

AUXILIARY POWER SUPPLY STAGE

DRIVER STAGE

SENSING STAGE

Vo

Figure 9. Main power circuit

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

14

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

The main power circuit incorporates the buck converter circuit with a power switch (IGBT), freewheeling diode D, inductor L, and capacitor C. R denotes the load resistor.

5.3.2 Designing the inductor

The required inductance for continuous conduction mode can be calculated using Equation 21. L= (Vin Vo )DTs i Io
Equation 21

Where: Vininput DC voltage to the buck converter in volts Voconverter output voltage in volts D = Vo/Vinconverter duty cycle TSswitching period in seconds iinductor ripple current as a percentage of load current IOload current in amperes The minimum inductance that ensures the operation in continuous conduction mode is given by Equation 22. LMIN = Where: Rload resistance in ohms FSSwitching frequency in hertz (1 D)R 2Fs

Equation 22

Based on the selected magnetic core and inductance, it is possible to determine the number of turns in the windings. At the same time, the cross-sectional area of the winding can be calculated according to the maximum inductance current and suitable current density.

5.3.3 Selection of the capacitor

The parameters to be considered when selecting an output capacitor are DC voltage rating, ripple current rating, output ripple voltage requirements, and transient response requirements. An electrolytic capacitor is suitable for this application. The capacitance can be calculated using Equation 23. 1D C= 8Fs 2 LVo V
Equation 23

Where: VOconverter output voltage in volts

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Vripple voltage as percentage of output voltage FSswitching frequency in hertz Dduty cycle Linductor value in Henry as calculated in Equation 21.

5.3.4 Selection of the power switch

The maximum switch current is calculated using Equation 24. i ISWMAX = + IOMAX 2
Equation 24

Where: ISWMAXmaximum switch current in amperes iinductor ripple current in amperes IOMAXmaximum output current in amperes

The power switch selected must be capable of handling the current calculated in Equation 24. The reverse voltage handling capability and loss must be considered as well. Power switch with low on-state drop is selected to reduce the conduction loss and improve the whole converter efficiency.

5.3.5 Selection of the freewheeling diode

The freewheeling diode selection is based on reverse voltage, forward current, and switching speed. The forward current rating of the diode must be equal to the maximum output current. It is important to use a diode with a fast recovery characteristic.

5.3.6 Sensing circuit

The sensing circuits are used to convert the high-voltage and current signals into low-voltage signals. Another function of the sensing circuits is to condition these sensed signals to match the requirements of the ADC input port. High voltages are sensed using potential dividers and high currents are sensed using Hall Effect sensors. A follower circuit and a clamp circuit can be removed because of high equivalent input impedance and internal clamping protection circuit design in every ADC input channel on MC56F8257 DSC.

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

16

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

6 Software design
6.1 System software organization
MAIN LOOP
PWM FAULT ISR
(HIGHEST PRIORITY)

PWM RELOAD ISR

(SAME PRIORITY)

PWM COMPARE ISR

Figure 10. System software structure

As shown in Figure 10, the software for peak current mode control has the following threads: The Main Loop thread The PWM ISR thread o PWM Compare ISR thread o PWM Reload ISR thread o PWM Fault ISR thread

In addition, there are system clock initialization, CPU initialization, peripheral initialization (like ADC, DAC and comparator), PWM module configuration, and variables initialization routines. These ensure that the software runs in the desired manner before the main loop executes.

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

6.2 Main loop description

START

INITIALIZE CLOCK,GPIO,CROSSBAR SWITCH AND TIMER

INITIALIZE ADC ,DAC AND COMAPARATOR

CONFIGURE PWM SUBMODULE1 FOR COMPARE INTERRUPT

CONFIGURE PWM SUBMODULE0 FOR RELOAD INTERRUPT

CONFIGURE PWM0 AND PWM 1 FOR FAULT INTERRUPT

FALSE INTERRUPT TO SERVICE TRUE SERVICE NTERRUPT

Figure 11. Main loop flowchart

After a processor reset, the main loop thread performs the following tasks: The system set up consists of the following modules: o Clock o COP o Core o ADC o HSCMP o Timer o PWM o GPIO Initialization of variables Interrupt source selection and enabling Run/stop control LED indication control

6.3 PWM ISR description

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

18

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

PWM COMPARE INTERRUPT

PWM RELOAD INTERRUPT

PWM FAULT INTERRUPT

CLEAR COMPARE FLAG

CLEAR RELOAD FLAG,DAC AUTOMATIC MODE ENABLE AND SET DUTYCYCLE

CLEAR PWM FAULT FLAG

DAC AUTOMATIC MODE DISABLE, START ADC CONVERSION

OVER VOLTAGE/ OVER CURRENT ?

TRUE

TRIP=1 DUTYCYCLE =0

TRIP=1, DUTYCYCLE =0

READ ADC AND EXCUTE 2P2Z CONTROLLER

FALSE

RETURN

RETURN

SET INITIAL VALUE FOR DAC

RETURN

Figure 12. PWM interrupt subroutines

The PWM interrupt thread performs the entire peak current mode control algorithm. The implementation has three service routines corresponding to the PWM Compare, PWM Reload, and PWM Fault interrupts as shown in Figure 12.

7 Experimental results
A design example is presented for a buck converter with peak current mode control using MC56F8257 DSC. The converter has the following specifications: Vin = 100 V VO = 60 V V D = OV = 0.6 in IO = 100 A RL = 1 L = 200 H C = 18800 F R C = 11.5 m R i = 24 m FS = 10 kHz

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

The inductor current waveform and PWM pulses were observed. The converter is operating at duty cycle of 60% (greater than 0.5). When no compensating ramp was added in the control loop, the subharmonic oscillation was observed in the inductor current waveform and is shown in Figure 13. When a compensating ramp of peak-to-peak magnitude as calculated in Equation 10 is added in the control loop, the observed inductor current waveform and PWM pulses are as shown in Figure 14. The problem of sub-harmonic oscillation is eliminated with the addition of compensating ramp.

Figure 13. Inductor current and PWM pulses without slope compensation

Figure 14. Inductor current and PWM pulses with slope compensation

8 Conclusion
This application note provides the details about implementing digital peak current mode control mechanism using Freescales MC56F8257. By making use of the peripheral interfaces available on DSC, it is possible to implement reliable buck converter. The converter exhibits excellent performance characteristics like short-circuit protection, overcurrent protection, immunity towards input voltage variations, and quick response to the load variations.

9 References
1. Raymond B. Ridley, A New Continuous Time Model for Current Mode Control, published in IEEE transaction on Power Electronics, Vol. 6, No. 2. April 1991

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC, Rev.1, 05/2013

20

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

2. Suryanarayana K , L.V. Prabhu, Anantha S., Vishwas K., Analysis and Modeling of Digital Peak Current Mode Control, presented during the IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems, December 2012 3. T.Grote, F.Schafmeister, H.Figge, Adaptive Digital Slope Compensation for Peak Current Mode Control, University of Paderborn. 4. Application Note: U97, Modelling, Analysis and Compensation of the Current Mode Converter, Texas Instruments Inc. 5. Raymond B. Ridley, Power Supply Design: Volume 1: Control. 6. Jian Li, Current Mode Control: Modeling and its Digital Application, dissertation submitted to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, April 14, 1990 7. L.H.Dixon, Average CurrentMode Control of Switching Power Supplies, Unitrode Power Supply Design Seminar Handbook 8. Dan Mitchell, Bob Mammano, Designing Stable Control Loops. 9. Ali Shirsavar, Designing Stable Digital Power Supplies, Biricha Digital Power Ltd. 10. Robert Sheehan, Understanding and Applying Current Mode Control Theory 11. Muhammad Saad Rahman, Buck Converter Design Issues, Masters thesis in Electronic Devices at Linkoping Institute of Technology, July 17, 2007.

10 Revision history
Table 1. Revision history

Revision No. 0 1

Date 04/2013 05/2013

Substantial changes Initial release Removed one of the reference sources. Created the revision history table

Digital Peak Current Mode Control of Buck Converter Using MC56F8257 DSC , Rev.1, 05/2013

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

How to Reach Us: Home Page: freescale.com Web Support: freescale.com/support

Information in this document is provided solely to enable system and software implementers to use Freescale products. There are no express or implied copyright licenses granted hereunder to design or fabricate any integrated circuits based on the information in this document. Freescale reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any products herein. Freescale makes no warranty, representation, or guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular purpose, nor does Freescale assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages. Typical parameters that may be provided in Freescale data sheets and/or specifications can and do vary in different applications, and actual performance may vary over time. All operating parameters, including typicals, must be validated for each customer application by customers technical experts. Freescale does not convey any license under its patent rights nor the rights of others. Freescale sells products pursuant to standard terms and conditions of sale, which can be found at the following address: freescale.com/SalesTermsandConditions. Freescale and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. 2013 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Document Number: AN4716 Rev.1, 05/2013 May 29, 2013